69E restoration has begun

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-30-2007, 04:50 PM

The project was supposed to be just a suspension refresh, but I found a few things pulling the front out, like the very beginnings of RUST, and decided to tear the car apart today. All the rust you see is more like surface flash than anything else, so thank God for that. The only bad part is the very thin metal lip (covered by a seal) that has been eaten away. Need to figure out how I'm going to replace that. I may try MIGing in a piece with spot welds over it. Suggestions are welcome!

I need 2-3 warm, dry days to grind the whole thing down to bare metal, inside and out, coat with POR15, texturize, etc.

it's a good thing I have a spare kidney!

Some pics.

and how it used to look.

dtw · 03-30-2007, 05:08 PM

It's a slippery slope you're tip-toeing down, Cambridge. Watch your step or you'll end up $X0K in like me. I've got all the "name brand" stuff sitting on engine stands or shelves in my garage. Name brands like "Schmidt", "Garcia", "Weidman", and "Stoddard". Now if only I had a car...it went out for paint nearly 2.5 years ago. Sometimes I wish I'd just done the $10k 'driver' resto - but my job started out just as innocently and seemingly quick like yours.

Now I had to buy a '76 Targa to keep me busy waiting for the '72. Have you got another one that can keep you happy while you light wastebaskets full of cash and acetone on fire?

berettafan · 03-30-2007, 06:21 PM

Neat!

How feasible would it be to mask off the car from the base of the front window back and do an outdoor sandblasting of the front end to get down to bare metal?

Also, what exact tools are you planning to use to grind away the rust?

Seems like it could be a very inexpensive fix by putting in your own time....but then i think Dave has a good point!

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-30-2007, 06:52 PM

Point taken Dave, I'm already looking at new SATA spray guns and after picking up a good set of fenders and hood the other day, thinking of creating a centerill tank/open hood/closed fender set with them, spray my originals if I wanted to go back to stock. The reality check will be the growing business more than anything.

Baretta, good suggestion on sandblasting, but I'm not a fan. Mostly because of clean-up. Media gets EVERYWHERE and you find it for years in the car.

I'm going my tried and true "build big shoulders" route. Pics from a project a few years ago. Just got a new grinder yesterday.

TimT · 03-30-2007, 07:05 PM

no need to spend the $ for a Sata.

an Astro Evo lays down paint wicked good..

http://www.spraygunworld.com/products/Astro/Astro%20Pneumatic%20-%20EVO4014.htm

Evans, Marv · 03-30-2007, 07:24 PM

Looks like a lot of fun. Always a fulfilling experience to bring a car back. Remember to keep us posted.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-30-2007, 07:31 PM

That's beautiful Tim, sent you a PM.

Marv, I'll be documenting as I can, especially if I learn anything new.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Shaun,
My buddy Palmer strips Porsches with his mother of all pressure washers. No mess. Probably no cheaper than media though.
-Chris

TimT · 03-30-2007, 07:55 PM

here are some pics of my car.. I painted it with an Astro Evo gun, water based (auto aircolors) paint, and SPI clear.

artsy fartsy

joetiii · joetiii's Garage

Shaun,

I think you're on the right path. MY PO wheeled the inside compartment and luggade area then POR15d it. Helps keep rust in check.I think you saw the patches that were Miged into my car. Now is the time to get it all done. While you're in there, remove all that heavey asphalt sound insulation in the back. I replaced mine with some stuff from Cascade Audio engineering. I was amazed at how quiet the car now is.

Let me know when your out visiting your Mom. We'll go out for a romp

HawgRyder · HawgRyder's Garage

Another option is to send the whole body to Redi-Strip.
It is a caustic bath they dunk the body into (complete submerge) and it comes back to you with a sort of protective coating that is water soluble.
It really does get all the rust.
When you see the gaping holes left after the dipping, it's rather painful.
I had a 32 Ford body done this way years ago....thought it was not too bad....wrong!
Ended up rebuilding 2/3 of the main body shell.
But...almost 50 years later...that car still looks great.
Wish I still owned it, but the friend that I sold it to still has it.
Bob

TimT · 03-31-2007, 08:10 AM

I just picked up a tub from Redi Strip yesterday

New project.... a clean slate

Shaun @ Tru6 · 04-02-2007, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by joetiii
Shaun,

I think you're on the right path. MY PO wheeled the inside compartment and luggade area then POR15d it. Helps keep rust in check.I think you saw the patches that were Miged into my car. Now is the time to get it all done. While you're in there, remove all that heavey asphalt sound insulation in the back. I replaced mine with some stuff from Cascade Audio engineering. I was amazed at how quiet the car now is.

Let me know when your out visiting your Mom. We'll go out for a romp

Absolutely Joe. After going over the car this weekend, I think I need 3 warm dry days to take most everything down to bare metal and then POR it. My big decision will be how far to go into the factory undercoaint that is still good. Chris B. is also checking into a pressure was solution that will do all the heavy lifting for me. It's pretty much ready to go now, but raining here all week.

Easter sound good? I'm definitely coming out.

TWork · 04-02-2007, 08:08 AM

Nice work Shaun. Having done that pretty recently myself, I can appreciate the effort.

Tim Hancock · 04-02-2007, 08:45 AM

You are a sick SOB Shaun! Man that is gonna be a big bunch of work! The worst part is trying to decide how far to go without sliding down the slippery slope.

Tom F2 · 04-02-2007, 09:08 AM

Shaun, was this the car you brought from Calif?

Shaun @ Tru6 · 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
You are a sick SOB Shaun! Man that is gonna be a big bunch of work! The worst part is trying to decide how far to go without sliding down the slippery slope.

Too true Tim, but if it comes out half as nice as any of your projects, it'll be a beauty.

The only thing I'm concerned about is paint. I've never shot a metallic. Will be practicing a lot!

And I've already jumped on the slide. Pulled all the gauges this past weekend so I could paint the binnacle. When I looked at them and said, hmmm, I can't really put these back in without a refresh at North Hollywood, I knew I was gone. But, they'll go back in as is. I really want to drive this thing fast this summer.

Tom, one in the same.

What a great trip!
54 hours in a 69 E

never got tired of the 3-5-3 up and downshifts.

joetiii · joetiii's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Shaun 84 Targa
Absolutely Joe. After going over the car this weekend, I think I need 3 warm dry days to take most everything down to bare metal and then POR it. My big decision will be how far to go into the factory undercoaint that is still good. Chris B. is also checking into a pressure was solution that will do all the heavy lifting for me. It's pretty much ready to go now, but raining here all week.

Easter sound good? I'm definitely coming out.

It's gonna be tight this weekend, but maybe sometime on Sunday PM. Later is better as I'm heading over to my parents house in South Hadley for an early dinner. PM me your cell and I'll see when the've got the meal planned.

TWork · 04-18-2008, 08:06 PM

Shaun,

Whatever happened to this project? I know I sent you a driver side fender from my '79 SC gratis (incl. me footing the bill for shipping and a 30 mi drive to drop off) which you said got a little mangled in transit (via Greyhound, your request). Just curious how it worked out for you?